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I would only drive at night but my lights don't work.

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I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #1
who lover patrick beaudet greenville, SC, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 26, 2015 05:25 PM Joined 10 years ago 115 Posts

I finally got my "B" on the road so I drove it to work today, after I got here I thought I better check the headlights since I haven't checked them lately and I go home at one in the morning and of coarse they don't work. And to put salt on the wound one of the maintance men stopped me and said " I always heard the British were good at agriculture and now I know it's true, they can make lemons in all different colors; there is a red one in the parking lot". I may have to start driving with a bag over my head like the unknown comic.

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #2
ohlord Rob C A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA Sign in to contact 1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI" 1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more	Apr 26, 2015 05:58 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 28,877 Posts

http://www.advanceautowire.com/mgb.pdf
fix the Headlights

Tell the Maintenance man to Bugger Off thumbs up

LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'

1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #3
riley1489 Bruce H Great White North, QC, Canada Sign in to contact 1953 Jaguar XK120 1959 Riley 1.5 "King George" 1973 MG MGB	Apr 26, 2015 07:20 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 26,269 Posts

In reply to # 2973810 by who lover I go home at one in the morning and of coarse they don't work.

What do you mean "of course they do not work" ? This is a 100% live circuit fed by the brown wire from the starter feed. Most likely no more difficult than the switch has gone south. Verify the leads at the back of the switch. If they work then buy yourself a new switch.
Oh and measure up the swollen head of your maintenance chap, want to make sure the bag for him is the correct size! smiling smiley

Bruce

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #4
who lover patrick beaudet greenville, SC, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 26, 2015 07:29 PM Joined 10 years ago 115 Posts

Thanks Rob and Bruce, I was planning on putting moss's relay kit in anyways , this would be a good time. And as far as the maintance man, I get this stuff all the time. I told him he better be careful there are thousands of people on the MGE and you'll come and kick his butt and he said " he ain't skeered ya'll will have to push ya'lls car here to do it".

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #5
NovasTaylor Tim Williams Raleigh, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Apr 26, 2015 09:28 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 2,783 Posts

And Mr. Maintenance Man drives a what? I'll bet its nowhere near as interesting or fun as an MGB. spinning smiley sticking its tongue out

Tim W.
80 MGB LE "ZOM B"
73 MGB GT "Royale with Cheese"
"Modern cars - they all look like electric shavers." - Marv (Sin City)

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #6
mac townsend Fairfield, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Apr 26, 2015 09:47 PM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 24,294 Posts

what year car?

1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #7
jrhickmn James Hickman Sevierville, TN, USA Sign in to contact 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Maggie Rose" 1963 MG Magnette MkIV "Iris" 1966 Jaguar 3.8S 1968 MG MGC GT "Maisy" & more	Apr 26, 2015 10:04 PM Top Contributor Joined 15 years ago 2,985 Posts

yeah, mine is a rolling resto where i don't pitch things til they are actually broken... i have had those crappy lucas switches wear out after only 30 or 40 years of use....so how many of detroit's finest can say that?

Jim H. is a grease-stained wretch, too.

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #8
CederholmC Carl E. Cederholm BROOKLYN, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air "The Sled" 1969 MG MGB GT "Supercharged" 1972 MG MGB "Brooklyn B" 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser	Apr 27, 2015 04:45 PM Joined 19 years ago 3,473 Posts

Get your light to work BEFORE you install the relay kit.

I bet your switch is dirty, pretty easy to take apart and clean but use the diagram Rob mentioned and a test light to find out first.

~ Carl

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #9
jamesgill Jim Gill Simpsonville, SC, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB	Apr 27, 2015 05:00 PM Joined 10 years ago 317 Posts

If you need some help with that maintenance guy, I am located in upstate SC and I got a big stick. And...I wouldn't have to push my car to get there....

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #10
tvrgeek Scott S Hillsborough, North Carolinia, USA Sign in to contact 1973 Triumph Stag	Apr 27, 2015 05:27 PM Top Contributor Joined 8 years ago 15,011 Posts

I would strongly suggest using Bosch brand relays. I have had quality problems with just about every other relay. Let's not talk about Lucas relay's. Just as bad as local auto store cube relays.

Also, check your grounds. Steel is a poor conductor. I like to run a big fat ground wire from the front and back of the car to where the battery ground is and tie things in there. All those bullet connectors corrode. Lots of things could be killing your lights. TEST.

I actually "collect" British car jokes. In reality, I'd take the worst Lucas has over the best Fiat used. Want unreliable? How about those stupid fuses they used in Germany? Why don't we ever mention Smiths? I have looked at many of their motors and they are very well made.

Cogito ergo sum periculoso

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Re: I would only drive at night but my lights don't work. #11
joron Michel Joron Roxboro, QC, Canada Sign in to contact 1977 MG MGB "Victoria" 2018 Jaguar XE "Meghan"	Apr 27, 2015 09:41 PM Joined 10 years ago 2,989 Posts

Sorry I could not resist.

"A gentleman does not motor about after dark."”
Joseph Lucas (1842 - 1903)

1977 MGB Red 'Victoria' and 2018 Jaguar XE 'Meghan'
All Classics:
Married, 2 children, MG MGB May to December, Jaguar the rest of the year.

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